Hi, Today is Tu B’shvat. The fifteenth day in the Jewish month of S’hvat. In Jewish tradition it’s the “New Year of Trees”. It’s customary to make a point of eating fruit on this day. Especially fruit that are associated in the Torah with the Land of Israel. Like grapes, figs, dates and pomegranates. … […]

Hi, … The blessing of the children. It’s one of the most beautiful customs at the Shabbat Friday night meal. It sends a very important message to the child. Because we can imagine how a child might feel at a festive meal. With all those adults!  Talking about “adult stuff”! And there may be important […]

Hi, Sorry about Friday.  I finally found a computer that is working! … Leah.  Together with Rachel, the mother of the Jewish People. Her fourth son was Judah. … “I will gratefully thank G-d.” “ And she called his name Judah.”  (Genesis, 29:35) As we have seen, Judah means to thank. And in Jewish tradition, […]

Hi, The beginning of the Jewish People. It’s just like the rest of Jewish history. Happens in strange ways! … Jacob wants to marry Rachel. Not so fast. Her father, Laban, switches Leah for Rachel! And Jacob has to work again for Rachel. Rachel and Leah become the primary mothers of the Jewish People. What […]

Hi, Let’s refresh our memories. Jacob meets Rachel and it seems right out of the movies. Until we think about it. Jacob kisses Rachel.  But he cries! He “loves” her.  But suggests waiting seven years. And then the clincher. He loves her so much? That those seven years go by like a few days. Doesn’t […]

Hi, I’ve been sitting at my computer thinking. We’re about to start the next Torah portion, so I was looking for a small nugget to share. Here’s what came to mind. … One of the great Rabbis of the past generation always looked for lessons in life. In his days, it was the telegraph. He […]

Hi, We can’t seem to avoid it. The Torah keeps coming back to weddings! Now its time for Jacob to find a wife. (Genesis, 28:1-4) … Isaac gives Jacob a charge. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women.” Or in other words, “Don’t marry out.” And Isaac sends Jacob to look in his […]

Hi, Love. It’s a word we hear very often. A man and a woman meet. Fall madly in love. Get married. And live happily ever after! … At least that’s how it goes in the movies! In real life? It’s just as likely that they won’t. … Here’s how the Torah describes the marriage of […]

Hi, I can’t help it. I love weddings! … The veiling of the bride.  Called the “Bedeken”. At a traditional Jewish wedding it takes place before the actual ceremony. The groom is escorted to the bride and veils her. It’s an ancient tradition that goes back over 3500 years! To the marriage of Rebecca and […]

Hi, Here’s a follow up to yesterday’s Torah Minute. And it takes place in Vienna in 1927. Sigmund Freud writes the following. “Civilization has little to fear from educated people… In them replacement of religious motives for civilized behavior, by other, secular motives, would proceed unobtrusively.” Not quiet what the Rabbi said in Berlin! Picture […]